10 favorite quotes from Inman Connect NY18

It’s been almost a week since Inman Connect NY18 ended and we’re still buzzing from all the great talks we got to see. The curation of topics and speakers was nothing short of a great start and a good indication of the hottest topics of 2018. Everything was covered from marketing to net neutrality and new tech. There was also lots of talk about the importance of data; our favorite topic.

We’ve compiled a list of our 10 favorite tech and marketing quotes from the conference and included an inspirational quote from Simon Sinek that works across the board, regardless of your role in the industry.

“People don’t buy what you do, they buy WHY you do it.”
– Simon Sinek , author of Start with Why

On Marketing

2. “What wins – start small and engage one-to-one. This is the way to build an audience. Don’t just optimize for likes.”
– Dick Costolo, Chorus CEO (former CEO of Twitter)

3. “Let’s stop digital marketing and start visual marketing.”
– Jeff Lobb, Founder, and CEO of Sparktank Media

4. “Vanity metrics are ‘likes’ and ‘followers’ but that doesn’t necessarily turn into business. Don’t be fooled by vanity metrics.”
– River Pearce, Director of Industry Relations for BoomTown

On Tech and Data

5. “By 2020, we’ll all be making much of our decisions based on data.”
– David Charron, Chief Strategy Officer for Bright MLS

6. “Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, says that AI will become more vital than electricity or fire.”
– David Charron

7. “There is no scenario in which there is no MLS. The question is, will we recognize it as MLS.”
– Rob Hahn, Managing Partner for 7DS Associates

8. “A CRM is where you print money. You HAVE to use a CRM.”
– River Pearce

9. “If you’re going to use data/technology don’t use it for M&A, use it to build great products, great service and true value to the market. That’s organic growth. “
– Ryan Schneider, CEO of Realogy

10. “All the tech in the world cannot replace a hardworking agent.”
– Nela Richardson, Chief Economist at Redfin

Last but not least, quoting David Charron: “NAR really needs our support with NET Neutrality.”

If you’re still wondering why you should care and how it can possibly affect you, as Melanie Wyne, Senior Policy Representative at NAR, suggested: “watch this brilliant video from Burger King.”